by Chuck Sommers
Sunday, Dec 19, 2021
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Venue: Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ
Where to watch: Bally Sports Arizona, Bally Sports Southeast-Charlotte
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Suns -7.5
BetMGM: Suns -7.5
Caesars: Suns -7.5
Season record
Hornets: 16-15 (6th place, Eastern Conference)
Suns: 23-5 (2nd place, Western Conference)
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Hornets - Suns preview and analysis
Recent form
Hornets: lost three of five; lost 125-116 at Trail Blazers on Friday
Suns: won four of five; won 118-98 vs. Wizards on Thursday
Maybe the Phoenix Suns are better without Devin Booker? Kidding. Maybe?
Booker, who has missed the last seven games due to a left hamstring strain, will not play Sunday against the Charlotte Hornets. Fortunately for the Suns, they've been able to keep things running smoothly without their superstar scorer.
Phoenix is 5-2 without Booker, who may be able to return Tuesday against a banged-up Los Angeles Lakers team. The Suns come into Sunday's matchup having won 22 of 24 and are second in the Western Conference.
The Suns are coming off a 20-point win over the Washington Wizards on Thursday by way of a balanced scoring attack. Eight players scored in double figures, led by JaVale McGee's 17 points off the bench, and Landry Shamet scoring 16 on 6 of 10 shooting.
Chris Paul also had 12 points with six assists and five rebounds.
"I think we're developing a lot of confidence with Book being out," Phoenix coach Monty Williams said. "I think guys playing with Chris in this environment has helped us, so when we get Book back, I think we'll be that much better."
Phoenix's offense has been clicking at averaging 111 points per game this season, and are facing a Hornets team that while off to a solid start, still allows 116.6 per game. Charlotte gave up 125 in its loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday. It was also a game where Damian Lillard erupted for a season-high 43 points.
"We're not playing with pride," Charlotte forward Miles Bridges said. "We are getting scored on. Nobody is getting mad at getting scored on. We're just worrying about the offense right now. I feel that if we put our main focus on defense, then the offense will come. Our offense is there. We just got to focus on defense."
The Hornets have LaMelo Ball back, which is good news after being out with COVID for the past six games. He had 27 points and five assists in the loss to Portland.
Prediction
The Hornets will need a couple of games to round into their early-season form, especially now that Ball is back in the fold. Phoenix does not appear to be slowing down any time soon even without Booker, and with his imminent return, I expect a well-rounded effort. Suns by 12
Betting trends
The Hornets are 67-66 ATS in the last three seasons as an underdog.
The Hornets are 40-22 ATS in their last 62 after a stretch of losing two of three.
The Suns are 72-56 ATS in the last three seasons as a favorite.
Projected starting lineup
Hornets:
PG: LaMelo Ball
SG: Terry Rozier
SF: Gordon Hayward
PF: Miles Bridges
C: Mason Plumlee
SF: Gordon Hayward
PF: Miles Bridges
C: Mason Plumlee
Suns:
PG: Chris Paul
SG: Landry Shamet
SF: Mikal Bridges
PF: Jae Crowder
C: Deandre Ayton
SF: Mikal Bridges
PF: Jae Crowder
C: Deandre Ayton
Key injuries
Hornets: None
Suns: Devin Booker (hamstring, out)
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
